It’s thought that the dog was the first domestic breed of animal, with archaeologists discovering confirmed dog remains in human graves dating back as far as 14,700 years ago.
Some believe that animals related to the wolf were used as companions up to an amazing 36,000 years ago, when humans first became hunter gatherers.
Many of these breeds have since become extinct, while others have thrived and survived.
Here are the 10 oldest breeds, according to scientists.
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5. Siberian Husky
Another breed with a history of helping humans in the icy north, the Siberian Husky is one of the world’s oldest working breeds of dog. The Chukchi people of east Siberia relied on the dogs to develop their hunter gatherer culture thousands of years ago - using them to pull sleds, protect the tribe from invaders, and hunt animals for food. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Shiba Inu
The official national dog of Japan, the origins of the Shiba Inu are thought to date back around 9,000 years. Primitive drawings from 200BC have been found depicting this breed living with humans. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Greenland Sledge Dog
Another breed used to chilly conditions, the Greenland Sledge Dog is thought to have been domesticated by the Paleo-Eskimo as far back as 2,500BC, before becoming a favourite of the Vikings. They then spread across Northern regions by whalers, explorers and fur traders who used them to transport people and items. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Samoyed
Yet another ancient breed from Siberia, the Samoyed is named after the people who used them for hunting, herding reindeer and sledding. DNA analysis has found that the breed is at least 3,000 years old, dating back to when they moved to the Arctic with their human owners in around 1000BC. Photo: Canva/Getty Images